June 21, 2006

Some guy in Wales just starts throwing out £1,000. That's fun for passersby, but I'm afraid it the sign of a very troubled mind. Many years ago, I saw a man take out his wallet and hurl it as far away as he could. I saw it because I was called to my window by his shouting -- shouting just the words "asshole... scumbag" over and over. He took off each item of clothing and tossed it aside, all the while keeping up that chant, until he was stark naked and barefoot. (It was winter in Greenwich Village.) Then, still chanting, he started stalking along the sidewalk. I can't remember how funny or disturbing I thought that was, but I didn't do anything but watch him as he proceeded to the end of the long block, where the police arrived to give him a lift. Some time later, I believe, the man killed himself.

The line between amusement and sympathy for those who are publicly deranged is always hard. Like the people who wear really bizarre signs (such as the fellow who stands outside the Vatican embassy in DC) on a regular basis. Funny at first, but sad when you start thinking about it.

- there's just a morbid fascination with madmen/women for some reason. I've always felt hidden deeply in them was an undiscovered streak of sheer brilliance, but they tend to die off too quickly for it to emerge